Editors' Review

WinZip has long been a go-to ZIP tool, so we were keen to try the all-new WinZip 18. It's much more than a cosmetic upgrade: A new compression engine zips, splits, and joins files faster than legacy versions, though of course WinZip still handles virtually any archive file type. It converts files to PDFs, adds watermarks, resizes photos, manages archives, and protects files with 128/256 bit encryption. Improved cloud navigation smoothly integrates WinZip with many more cloud services, including Box, Dropbox, SugarSync, SkyDrive, and Google Drive. Cloud Links adds links to files via e-mail, IM, and social media. WinZip Express Add-Ons let you access many WinZip features directly from Outlook and other programs (These cost extra, though WinZip Express for Explorer was free with our download!). The full version of WinZip 18 (64-bit) is free to try for 21 days.

WinZip 18 installed over our existing program, though we had to choose between the new compression standard (better performance) and the default option, legacy compression (wide compatibility with large archives) -- though of course you're not limited to one or the other. Other setup options include themes and file associations. Setup finished with a Quick Start guide covering many of WinZip 18's new features, such as the Office-style Ribbon toolbar that accesses cloud-based resources directly (you can choose the old style interface and menus from WinZip's extensive Settings). We tried WinZip 18's new algorithm, which definitely feels fast and did a good job even with hard-to-squeeze media files. We really wanted to try WinZip 18's cloud features, though. We clicked "Save to Cloud" and then selected Dropbox from the list and then signed in. After that, we could access our Dropbox folders directly from WinZip. WinZip's Photos tool can integrate with your digital camera, too. WinZip Express for Explorer adds a QUICK-ZIP option to WinZip's extensive context menus. Help buttons are everywhere.

WinZip 18's improved engine and enhanced cloud services take a reliable, old favorite to a new level, and 64-bit integration will help keep it there. It's hard to get excited about a ZIP tool, but WinZip 18 just thrills us with its impressive features and ease of use.

Editors' note: This is a review of the full version of WinZip (64-bit) 18. The trial version is fully functional for 21 days.

Publisher's Description

WinZip 22 Pro delivers renowned compression and encryption, essential backup tools and new productivity-boosting features. Now you can access files more easily by adding multiple accounts from the same cloud or IM service to WinZip. Sharing is also easier with all your contacts in the new Combined Address Book. File handling is more flexible than ever, giving you more control over how you zip, encrypt and share individual and groups of files. And enhanced MP3 compression reduces files by 15 - 20%. Browse and edit files on your PC, network and clouds, plus resize images, create PDFs, add watermarks, scan and share documents and much more with the power of WinZip.

The UI is bad. It installs File Association Helper. It wouldn't uninstall, but corel\winzip put some uninstall instructions on their site... almost like they KNOW you can't uninstall it. WinZip used to be great back in the day.. like the 90's or something.

None, this software existing solely for taking money from less technically savvy people.

Cons

Was pre-installed on my system.
'Free-trial' period expired before I even used it once.
Lot's of invasive advertising.
Waste of time to uninstall and clean up system.
Open source alternatives are better quality and free.
Too expensive $30 for this SW is a rip-off.

Summary

I have no idea why win zip is still in business when there are superior open source applications that work much better and don't bother me with annoying adds. 'Free trial' is a joke since it was pre-installed on my machine and had already expired before I ever used it. I also had to waste time uninstalling this garbage that they think is worth $30 a copy, that's complete BS since windows can actually open zip files when the feature isn't purposely disabled to trick novice users into buying winzip. That type of marketing tactic is fraud in my book.

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Full Specifications

What's new in version 22.0.12670.0

Optional prompt to unzip when opening a Zip file
One click unzip to the folder displayed in the File Pane
Convert images to other formats for saving space and easy sharing
Remove personal info from photos and other files for greater security
Clipboard sharing of cloud files using WinZip Express
Faster startup of WinZip
Move files to a Zip file from Windows Explorer context menu.